tmux message-format controls status bar messages
Introduced 2026-06-26 · score 0.92
HOW TO USE IT
When customizing prompt and message display, set `message-format` to define the complete message; add `fill=yellow` to `message-style` when it should span the status line.
tmux set-option -g message-format '<format>'tmux set-option -g message-style 'fg=<colour>,bg=<colour>,fill=yellow'WHY THIS HELPS
Customize how prompts and messages appear alongside normal status bar content.
BEFORE THIS CHANGE
Messages replaced the entire status line; the change allows them to occupy part of it and overlay normal status content.
REQUIREMENTS AND LIMITATIONS
- Version: 3.7
- -g: Set a global session option.
- message-format: Format for the entire message, like `status-format`.
- message-style: Style for messages; include `fill` to cover the whole width. The release note gives `fill=yellow` as the default.
- fill: Style attribute used to fill the whole width; `fill=yellow` is the stated default. No documented mutually exclusive sub-keys found.
- Prerequisite: No additional prerequisites found in the cited documentation.
- Prompts and messages can occupy only part of the status bar and overlay normal status content.
- `message-style` must include `fill` to cover the whole width.
FIRST-PARTY EVIDENCE
Check the installed version and the source before using it. Entry JSON